Genealogy - Getting to Know your Heritage

[catfish1957]

Extremely accurate.. IMHO FTDNA IS the best of the lot.

FTDNA- More technically astute
Ancestry- Better tools to find matches

I use both

[Bigun]

FTDNA- More technically astute
Ancestry- Better tools to find matches

I sue both

I did autosomal test with ancestry and uploaded results to GEDmatch.com to find more matches.

Did Y test with FTDNA and also uploaded autosomal results to them as well.   There are many family projects at FTDNA that one can join and compare results with others having the same surname.

[Gefn]

My wife did both FTDNA and 23 & Me tests. We found a bunch of known relatives on 23 & Me. We haven't been able to confirm any matches on FTDNA. I believe that, between the two, there are many more people on 23 & Me.

Are they expensive?

[Bigun]

Are they expensive?

@Freya

Normal price for autosomal test is around $100 but they run specials all the time and you can get one done  for $69 if you watch for those.

I'll try to rember to post it here when I see those specials run again.

[Old Warrior in Exile]

I personally think it to be one of the most important undertakings one can engage in and besides that I LOVE it!

Absolutely! I have been researching my lineage since abt. 2001 and have loved every minute of it.
Even when I have come up against some frustrating brick walls the hunt is still enjoyable.

[Old Warrior in Exile]

You don't have any from the Normandy region of France per chance? I have a couple of Hugoenot ancestors from there that ultimately trace back to Norway and Sweden.

Would your Huguenot ancestors happen to be from or related to the Fuqua line?

More specifically, the line from the progenitor Guillaume Fuqua?

[kevindavis007]

This is an FYI...


If you want search your family for free go to https://familysearch.org/ (very neat site)


Also check this site out: https://relativefinder.org/

[kevindavis007]

One thing that I find interesting from my ancestry tree is this:


I have a lot ancestors who came from England, Germany (like 99% of Americans), however, I do have some Scot, Scot-Irish, Irish and Welsh ancestry.


I do have some connections to our founding fathers. I also have some connections to the current royal family.


I'm thinking of doing the 23andme dna testing. The only brick wall that I'm having is with the my one of my Great Grandfather. It is fun though.

[Ghost Bear]

Bookmarking... 

[catfish1957]

This is an FYI...


If you want search your family for free go to https://familysearch.org/ (very neat site)


Also check this site out: https://relativefinder.org/

Yes, it is a very useful site (family search)  but as I tell my genealogy class........   Please be careful.....  it is riddled with errors.

[Elderberry]

I was really getting into it a while back. I was stuck getting beyond my grandfather on my mother's side. I was finally able to find him in the 1920 census. His name is William Burnice Pippin, but I found him listed in the census as Burniee Pippin. Everything else fit. It must of been a Pet name. My father was real close to a 2nd cousin. I couldn't find any information on her. I knew the area they grew up in, so I examined what church records I could find from that area, until I found her. It gets challenging/frustrating when you hit a brick wall.

My Dad had done I lot of genealogy work. I took what he had left me and I fed it into Ancestry. That was my first exposure to genealogy.  I then was flooded with them dang leaves. I followed leaf after leaf after leaf. I was following a branch leading into the year 200's. That's when I felt it was bogus. I deleted it all and started over. This time If they didn't have papers/records I didn't add them to my tree. I think I found 2 branches that both lead to the Mayflower Compact. Now I need to learn how to gather the required documenting records.

My son did the 23 and me, he promised to send me the results. Still waiting.

[catfish1957]

The only brick wall that I'm having is with the my one of my Great Grandfather.

PM me with some details, and maybe I can help.

[catfish1957]

Now I need to learn how to gather the required documenting records.

My son did the 23 and me, he promised to send me the results. Still waiting.

Good work.  Also make sure you make out a clear system/process of that documentation.  After 20 years, 8 file cabinet drawers and 16 (3" 3 ring) binders, it so important, otherwise it will become the needle/haystack thing.

I also share your frustration with Ancestry.  I have 100's of examples of where I have shared research, and the subsequent researcher makes a mistake.  Then it hits online, and it goes viral.  Pisses me off badly.   One thing that I do, that helps manage that world of collaboration/speculation versus reality is to manage it through two different trees.  One based on clues and the other on full sound evidence.  In any case.....Happy Hunting.

[truth_seeker]

We recently made contact with a relative through Ancestry. (autosomal)

We share a common relative, one Henry Rhoades Meeks, Jr. who was a member of the Butch and Sundance gang, aka "The Wild bunch" and "The Hole in the Wall Gang."

Henry's nickname was "Bub" Meeks.

Buried in Lyman City Cemetary, Wyoming

Bub Meeks was jailed after the 1896 robbery of a bank in Montpelier Idaho. He escaped from jail multiple time, one time being shot in the leg, and the leg later amputated. He continued escape attempts, even after that.

[kevindavis007]

Yes, it is a very useful site (family search)  but as I tell my genealogy class........   Please be careful.....  it is riddled with errors.

I'm careful as well.. I trust ancestry more than I do that site.

[kevindavis007]

PM me with some details, and maybe I can help.

Ok thank you..

[catfish1957]

I'm careful as well.. I trust ancestry more than I do that site.

Same here, as there is enough indexed and scanned info, to provided enough documentation in any cases. 
the ability to link those references and documents to individuals and trees helps tremendously in separating the creme from the curds.
Having the ability to see scanned documents of ancestor vital records  from England 400 years ago is beyond cool.

OTOH as Ancestry has become a behemoth and a monopolization of the on-line aspects of the hobby, there are several things they have done to anger me.

(1) Abandoning the FTM (Family Tree Maker) Program.  This is their way to force the genealogical community to manage their trees/data through their system (cloud).  Disgusting.

(2) If you have noticed Ancestry is getting ready to tinker (screw up probably) Find A Grave.  F-A-G was probably the most innovative and near thing to come out the genealogy field in the past 15 years.  It has a lot of info, grave pictures, and data, that wasn't found anywhere else.  Mark my words, within 5 years Ancestry will find a way to charge customers for this, and screw over the multitude of people who contributed to this fine program.

[kevindavis007]

Same here, as there is enough indexed and scanned info, to provided enough documentation in any cases. 
the ability to link those references and documents to individuals and trees helps tremendously in separating the creme from the curds.
Having the ability to see scanned documents of ancestor vital records  from England 400 years ago is beyond cool.

OTOH as Ancestry has become a behemoth and a monopolization of the on-line aspects of the hobby, there are several things they have done to anger me.

(1) Abandoning the FTM (Family Tree Maker) Program.  This is their way to force the genealogical community to manage their trees/data through their system (cloud).  Disgusting.

(2) If you have noticed Ancestry is getting ready to tinker (screw up probably) Find A Grave.  F-A-G was probably the most innovative and near thing to come out the genealogy field in the past 15 years.  It has a lot of info, grave pictures, and data, that wasn't found anywhere else.  Mark my words, within 5 years Ancestry will find a way to charge customers for this, and screw over the multitude of people who contributed to this fine program.

I noticed that as well.  It started out good, but in the end it is going to get worse..  They are going to ruin it for a lot of people.


My main beef with ancestry.com is that I have pay extra just to view international records.

[catfish1957]

I noticed that as well.  It started out good, but in the end it is going to get worse..  They are going to ruin it for a lot of people.


My main beef with ancestry.com is that I have pay extra just to view international records.

Ditto here.  Never thought I would ever pay $300/year for any kind of on-line subscription.

They have Libarary Edition at my genealogy library , but finally decided the convienence was worth it

[truth_seeker]

I'm careful as well.. I trust ancestry more than I do that site.

A great deal of Ancestry, is the same as familysearch.org. As in the same data, from the same original sources.

Prior to the internet, and for awhile after, genealogy continued to be "for free and for fun." Early internet sites, held a lot of good info which enthusiasts gladly shared for free.

Then Ancestry started buying them out, and putting information behind their pay wall.
 

[catfish1957]

A great deal of Ancestry, is the same as familysearch.org. As in the same data, from the same original sources.

About 20 years ago, in the early days of this hobby for me, research was done via books, micro-film, micro-fiche, and CD's.

The AF filing (LDS' pre-nomenclature prior to familysearch.org) is absolutely riddled with errors.  In my early naivety, I took the bait and probably wasted 100-200 research hours barking up the wrong tree on a couple lines.  We learn from our early mistakes.

[kevindavis007]

About 20 years ago, in the early days of this hobby for me, research was done via books, micro-film, micro-fiche, and CD's.

The AF filing (LDS' pre-nomenclature prior to familysearch.org) is absolutely riddled with errors.  In my early naivety, I took the bait and probably wasted 100-200 research hours barking up the wrong tree on a couple lines.  We learn from our early mistakes.

Here is another site...


https://www.wikitree.com/ and it is 100% free..

[Bigun]

Whew!  Been at a family reunion all day and must have answered a hundred questions about this.  I think the bug is biting more people all the time.

[Bigun]

Yes, it is a very useful site (family search)  but as I tell my genealogy class........   Please be careful.....  it is riddled with errors.

But that is changing rapidly as there is a veritable army working to clean it up at present.  Most of it is due to paper records years ago when people were submitting things with no way to know that someone else had already done the same work.

[kevindavis007]

Well, I finally solved the last riddle of my family. My ancestors came from Wales and if I read the records right I have some Welsh royalty ancestors (way before England conquered Wales).

[musiclady]

Well, I finally solved the last riddle of my family. My ancestors came from Wales and if I read the records right I have some Welsh royalty ancestors (way before England conquered Wales).

How cool is that!!!

Do we have to call you "Your Highness" now?? 

[Suppressed]

My friend just told me that her mother, who had been adopted, just got a DNA match and has possibly found her father.

[Bigun]

My friend just told me that her mother, who had been adopted, just got a DNA match and has possibly found her father.

Excellent!

[mountaineer]

About 20 years ago, in the early days of this hobby for me, research was done via books, micro-film, micro-fiche, and CD's.

That's how my husband researched his family history about 25-30 years ago: census records, immigration papers, going to the county clerk's office for marriage records, etc. The internet may make it easier, but you're right about the possibility of inaccuracy.

[truth_seeker]

My friend just told me that her mother, who had been adopted, just got a DNA match and has possibly found her father.

My sister tested DNA with Ancestry DNA, and got a contact with a woman living in White Horse, Yukon Territory.

She is near 70 yrs. of age, and was adopted. Her adoption records were sealed until recently. She is being assisted by her daughter, who lives in Grand Prairie Alberta.

Anyway I helped, as the family genealogist using old paper historic records etc. It turns out the daughter and I, working from both ends connected her to us, by our Swedish immigrant ancestors in Minnesota dating to the 1850s.

They migrated and branched out, and OMG somebody had a moral shortcoming in Winnepeg, Manitoba.

A major guru of her family line is an olde guy like me in Richardson TX, btw.




https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/07/10/books-thread-lindstrom-karl-oskar

[truth_seeker]

My genealogy is limited to Sweden and the British Isles. Therefore I just ordered the test kit, from the British firm named "Living DNA."

I selected them, since they claim to have the most detailed breakdown of the British and Ireland.

I also selected them because they have a sale for just $99.00+$9.95 shipping to give all three mains tests.

Y-DNA (male line)
Mt-DNA (female line)
Autosomal DNA (ancestral breakdown)

I previously wasted money on a deceptive advertisement for AncestryByDNA that gave only a "Europe" result for locations. Groupon facilitated their ripoff. Buyer beware, with Groupon.

 

[Bigun]

My genealogy is limited to Sweden and the British Isles. Therefore I just ordered the test kit, from the British firm named "Living DNA."

I selected them, since they claim to have the most detailed breakdown of the British and Ireland.

I also selected them because they have a sale for just $99.00+$9.95 shipping to give all three mains tests.

Y-DNA (male line)
Mt-DNA (female line)
Autosomal DNA (ancestral breakdown)

I previously wasted money on a deceptive advertisement for AncestryByDNA that gave only a "Europe" result for locations. Groupon facilitated their ripoff. Buyer beware, with Groupon.

That is a GREAT deal!  One I would take advantage of myself if I hadn't already paid for separate autosomal and Y- test and wasn't 100% certain of my mother's line.

[Restored]

I'm afraid to do this kind of thing because we had a different mailman when I was born.

[Bigun]

I'm afraid to do this kind of thing because we had a different mailman when I was born.

My wife did it and found out that the man's name on her birth certificate in the Father's name box was a total falsehood!   So your fear is very legit!

[truth_seeker]

Serious genealogy is not for the faint of heart.

I have learned of my blood connection to scoundrels, outlaws and pious cruel Puritan preachers.

But mostly great people. The kind that took risks, like one guy named Washington George Matthes, who went to California via Cape Horn during the Gold Rush, failed to get rich, and ambled back to New England--before heading West again to Minnesota soon thereafter.

[Gefn]

I bit the bullet and bought a DNA kit at Walgreens for $39.99

It's totally thrills free, just maternal and paternal no other generations but considering I'm adopted and know nothing other than "European" this might be of interest.

[catfish1957]

Serious genealogy is not for the faint of heart.

I have learned of my blood connection to scoundrels, outlaws and pious cruel Puritan preachers.

But mostly great people. The kind that took risks, like one guy named Washington George Matthes, who went to California via Cape Horn during the Gold Rush, failed to get rich, and ambled back to New England--before heading West again to Minnesota soon thereafter.

I teach genealogy classes, and volunteer at our library, helping patrons find their ancestry through the tools and resources that we have.   

I have had close to 10 patrons get downright angry at me for what was found.  Some include

(1) The topic of race,
(2) Adoption or other census facts showing that an ancestor was not a birth parent
(3) Occupation did not match famiy lore.
(4) Origin

I've help find three their birth parents, though I am very hesitant  due to possible implications there.

But it is all worthwhile when the joy provided to 100's who have found their roots.  Those tears are worth more than gold.

[Bigun]

I bit the bullet and bought a DNA kit at Walgreens for $39.99

It's totally thrills free, just maternal and paternal no other generations but considering I'm adopted and know nothing other than "European" this might be of interest.

@Freya

Good for you Freya!  It may well provide more information than you currently imagine!

[Bigun]

I teach genealogy classes, and volunteer at our library, helping patrons find their ancestry through the tools and resources that we have.   

I have had close to 10 patrons get downright angry at me for what was found.  Some include

(1) The topic of race,
(2) Adoption or other census facts showing that an ancestor was not a birth parent
(3) Occupation did not match famiy lore.
(4) Origin

I've help find three their birth parents, though I am very hesitant  due to possible implications there.

But it is all worthwhile when the joy provided to 100's who have found their roots.  Those tears are worth more than gold.

Our Church regularly puts on (once a year or so) what they call Geneology Fairs that are open to anyone interested in the subject.  My wife and I are always participants as counselors and never fail to get involved in some sort of investigation of that type of thing.  Most often people are greatly appreciative  of what you help them find but once in a while ...

[truth_seeker]

I teach genealogy classes, and volunteer at our library, helping patrons find their ancestry through the tools and resources that we have.   

I have had close to 10 patrons get downright angry at me for what was found.  Some include

(1) The topic of race,
(2) Adoption or other census facts showing that an ancestor was not a birth parent
(3) Occupation did not match famiy lore.
(4) Origin

I've help find three their birth parents, though I am very hesitant  due to possible implications there.

But it is all worthwhile when the joy provided to 100's who have found their roots.  Those tears are worth more than gold.

Today we  are more understanding, than our ancestors. For bad actors, they often just went into near-full-denial blackout.

My surname derives from a chap (my g gf) that came from Sweden in his late 20s, married and fathered 4 children that lived to be adults (3 died during childhood).

Unknown until my genealogy studies uncovered this; he had also deserted the Swedish army, deserted a wife and children in Sweden before heading to Minnesota, then Dakota Terr.

In Dakota he was run out of town after his 6th child, but the woman (my g gm) allowed him to visit on sneaks, and had the 7th child. He then disappeared again, no grave location, etc.

So that is why nobody talks about olde Nils, very much !!

[Suppressed]

I see that 23 & Me has a "Thanksgiving Family Offer" through Nov 23, 2017: $49/kit for 2 or more kits (Ancestry Service)
https://www.23andme.com/

[mountaineer]

I took advantage of ancestry-com's DNA kit offer and am awaiting my results. My question is whether I start filling out my family tree, will that information be used by ancestry's owners to "baptize the dead"?

[RetBobbyMI]

I took advantage of ancestry-com's DNA kit offer and am awaiting my results. My question is whether I start filling out my family tree, will that information be used by ancestry's owners to "baptize the dead"?

One of the most frustrating things in the Ancestry DNA is all of the other people who also did the test that have no trees associated, yet says they are cousins. How does one know if there is no tree information?

[mountaineer]

The worst thing about ancestry (it appears to me) is that they dangle tidbits of information about your family, but you have to join up for an extended period to see whether or not it's even relevant.

[Bigun]

The worst thing about ancestry (it appears to me) is that they dangle tidbits of information about your family, but you have to join up for an extended period to see whether or not it's even relevant.

@mountaineer

You can get completely free account at Familysearch.org https://www.familysearch.org/

[mountaineer]

Thanks, @Bigun

[Bigun]

One of the most frustrating things in the Ancestry DNA is all of the other people who also did the test that have no trees associated, yet says they are cousins. How does one know if there is no tree information?

@RetBobbyMI

Download your raw DNA file from Ancestry to your computer then go to GEDMatch.com  https://www.gedmatch.com/

Open an account for free and upload the file you downloaded from ancestry to them.  Takes a few days but afterward you will be able to compare your kit number to millions of others there.

[Bigun]

I owe everyone on this thread a HUGE apology as I promised to let you know about Holiday specials with various companies and flat out forgot to do that!

Roots Magic http://rootsmagic.com/ had a fantastic bargain on their software recently (fantastic enough to cause me to buy it) that just expired!  They may well do it again just before Christmas and I do my best to let you know if they do.

I think Ancestry is still offering a $69 special for their autosomal test right now as well.

I know that the best of all of them (FTDNA) has some GREAT deals going right now which you can check out at this link https://www.familytreedna.com/products

[Bigun]

I see that 23 & Me has a "Thanksgiving Family Offer" through Nov 23, 2017: $49/kit for 2 or more kits (Ancestry Service)
https://www.23andme.com/

@Suppressed

You can do as you please but I would stay away from 23&me if I were you.  They have been caught jiggling around with things lately.

Here's a link to some REALLy good deals with acompany that has an excellent reputation.  https://www.familytreedna.com/products

[kevindavis007]

I'm seriously thinking of doing an dna test..